Monkey's Sweet Surprise - (Tales from the Zodiac Kitchen) by Patricia Tanumihardja (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A delightful Lunar New Year adventure inspired by the Vietnamese, Gurung, and Malay zodiac traditions--filled with friendship, teamwork, and delicious desserts!

Monkey's Sweet Surprise: A Lunar New Year Mix-Up whisks young readers away to the Jade Empress's grand banquet, where a charming cast of zodiac animals--including Mouse Deer (from the Malay zodiac) and Cat (from the Vietnamese and Gurung zodiacs)--prepare their finest festive dishes. Determined to redeem himself after last year's kooky catastrophe, Monkey sets out to make the Empress's favorite dessert: pineapple tarts. But along the way, he discovers that the sweetest surprises come from helping friends and working together.

Set in a whimsical world inspired by these rich zodiac traditions, this beautifully illustrated picture book blends Southeast Asian cultural heritage, imaginative storytelling, and a deep love of food. Perfect for ages 4-8, it celebrates the spirit of Lunar New Year while sharing timeless lessons in friendship, teamwork, and forgiveness.

Review Quotes

"Monkey's Sweet Surprise is a fun twist on the Lunar New Year tales. A story about delicious foods, community, kindness and lifting up one another. A great addition to your Lunar New Year reads!" -- Benson Shum, author of Anzu the Great Kaiju

About the Author

Patricia (Pat) Tanumihardja grew up a third culture kid, forever curious about the world around her and her place in it. Born in Jakarta and raised in Singapore, her Indonesian Chinese parents encouraged her appetites for both delicious foods and good books. As a writer, Pat's work explores food, culture, and self. Her fun, heartwarming stories often echo her lived experiences buoyed by universal themes. Her debut children's book Ramen for Everyone was a JLG Gold Selection, and was soon followed by Jimmy's Shoes and The Sugar Plum Bakers. Today, Pat writes both children's books and cookbooks from her home in Northern Virginia where she lives with her husband and son. Don't be shy to hit her up for some favorite recipes!

Bonnie Lui is an illustrator and storyteller whose work spans books, games, and television. She is always looking for ways to create fun in all forms of media for everyone to enjoy. Her debut picture book, ABC of Feelings, showcases her ability to connect with young readers through engaging illustrations. In addition to her publishing work, Bonnie has contributed as a background painter for studios such as DreamWorks and Warner Bros. Animation, with credits including Tiny Toons Looniversity. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys playing the ukulele and piano, and is an avid cat enthusiast. Bonnie resides in Los Angeles, California.